Mayor and Council re-appoint Art Miles and Debra Conway as commissioners to the Vancouver Housing Authority Board

Mayor Royce Pollard and Vancouver City councilmembers re-appointed Art Miles to his second full term on the Vancouver Housing Authority Board which term will expire February 2015. Debra Conway was re-appointed as the resident commissioner to her second two-year term, which will expire February 2012.

The six-member volunteer board establishes policy for the operation of various assisted low-income rental housing programs and low-income housing rehabilitation programs.

Regular meetings are the fourth Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon at the VHA office, 2500 Main St. Occasionally, special meetings and work sessions are called.

To learn more about City of Vancouver boards and volunteer opportunities, visit the city volunteer website at http://www.cityofvancouver.us/boards.

Valerie Uskoski appointed to planning commission, Ron Barca re-appointed

The Board of County Commissioners appointed Valerie Uskoski to the Clark County Planning Commission today. Uskoski was appointed to a one-year term, replacing commission member Jada Rupley, who had served on the planning commission since November 2001. In addition, Ron Barca, a current planning commissioner, was appointed to a new four-year term.

The Clark County Planning Commission consists of seven citizens appointed by the Board of Clark County Commissioners. The commission serves as an advisory board to the county commissioners on matters related to the development of land within the county.

Other planning commission members are Dick Deleissegues, Steve Morasch, Milada Allen, Jeff Wriston and George Vartanian.

Clark College receives ARRA dollars for training

Against the backdrop of a struggling economy and increased unemployment, Clark College’s Corporate and Continuing Education Department received $716,958 in American Reinvestment & Recovery Act (ARRA) funds during 2009.

The funding was awarded to provide training to unemployed workers who are seeking new skills as dental assistants, cardiology technicians, physical therapy aides, health informatics, Six Sigma Black Belts, ophthalmic medical assistants, and energy auditors or weatherization installation professionals. ARRA funding is also supporting training for individuals preparing for the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM) certification exams. Some of the training took place during fall of 2009; other programs will begin or continue into 2010.

“The training that we are able to provide through ARRA funds will make a real difference in the lives of more than 180 unemployed men and women in our region,” says Todd Oldham, executive director of Corporate and Continuing Education.

Clark College president Robert K. Knight states, “The college and community can be proud that Clark was selected to receive these ARRA funds based on our experience in providing training that leads to jobs.” Knight also says: We’re proud to have brought in more than half a million dollars this year to support our region. It’s a strong note on which to end 2009 and a positive way to begin the new year.”

Longshoremen’s local No. 4 provides bicycles for children

For the third year in a row, the International Longshoremen’s & Warehousemen’s Union, No. 4, has provided children who have been victims of abuse, have families in crisis, or who are in foster care with 64 new bicycles as holidays gifts.

The bikes are distributed through the Children’s Justice Center to social workers, law enforcement officers, victims’ advocates and mental health providers, who give them to children under their care or protection.

“Their remarkable effort each year has made a huge difference in the lives of many local children,” said Mary Blanchette, executive director of the Arthur D. Curtis Children’s Justice Center. ”It is this kind of thoughtfulness that builds and strengthens a community for children.

News Briefs

Spend New Year’s Eve with Vancouver’s next mayor, Tim Leavitt, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Heathman Lodge, 7801 NE Greenwood Drive. Cost is $50 per individual, $90 per couple, and $750 per reserved patron table. A special room rate of $59 is being offered by the Heathman Lodge for those attending the New Year's Eve event. Proceeds will benefit Parks Foundation of Clark County and Community Choices. To purchase tickets, call 619-1170. To make room reservations, call 254-3100, referencing the New Year's Eve celebration. <> Tickets for performances by Michael Allen Harrison at the Old Church are still available at the following show times: 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24; 50 open seats, 5 p.m.; 7 open seats Thursday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m.; 30 open seats, Thursday, Dec. 24, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26; 150 open seats. Tickets are available at the door for each show. Visit http://www.michaelallenharrison.com/ for more information or call 503-255-0747. Tickets are $29.50 for general admission. <> Vancouver parents and youth now can search for over 100 different after school programs in the Vancouver and Evergreen School Districts by visiting http://www.schoolsoutletsgo.org/. Activities over the holiday break are also available. <> The Vancouver Dance Theatre is holding auditions Saturday, Jan. 9, for its spring show The Wizard of Oz, directed by Patrick Russell. Auditions begin at 1:30 for 5-6 year olds; 2 p.m. for 7-9 year olds; 2:30 p.m. for 10 and older with 3 years’ dance experience; 3:30 p.m. for 11 and older, with 6 months to 2 years’ on pointe experience; and 4 p.m. for 13 and older, with 2 years' on pointe experience. Auditions will take place at Dance Works Dance Center, 6511 N.E 137th Avenue, Vancouver. Rehearsals begin the following weekend, Saturday, Jan. 16. The show will take place at Fort Vancouver High School March 19-21. There are required fees up to $175. For more information, call Margareta Groetsema at 624-8098, email her marg61@juno.com, or call VDT president Charlyn Reed at 798-0670 or email her at hulamama@comcast.net. Visit www.vancouverdancetheater.com for more information. <> Slocum House Theatre will be performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare-Abridged written by Borgeson, Long and Singer, and directed by Tony Bump, Friday, Jan. 8, through Sunday, January 31. Those interested in seeing the sketch comedy should visit www.slocumhouse.com or call 696-2427.

Calendar

Clark County Fire & Rescue Firefighters Association will host the Annual Ridgefield Christmas Celebration at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 23, in the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 North Main Avenue. Santa will arrive at 7:00 p.m. on a CCF&R fire engine. The festivities include visits with Santa, free refreshments, and performances by the Detchman Family Brass Band. For additional information, call 887-4609. <> Red Cross is offering free gift-wrapping for blood drive participants at its You Give, We’ll Wrap blood drive until 7:30 p.m. tonight, Dec. 23, at the Clark County Donor Center, 5109 NE 82nd Avenue. Up to three pre-boxed presents can be wrapped during the donation appointment. Those interested in donating should call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. <> Loaves and Fishes will be serving hot meals to senior citizens from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, La Center Community Center, 1000 E 4th Street. <> Red Cross will be holding a special Christmas Eve blood drive at Regal Cinemas Cascade 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24, Regal Cinemas Cascade 16, 1101 SE 160th Avenue. Treat yourself to a movie and by donating blood before or after watching your favorite Regal Cinemas new release this Christmas Eve. For more information, or to schedule your appointment, contact Darren at 989-2921 or online at http://www.givelife.org. Use sponsor code: REGAL16.

 

Merry Christmas!

The Daily Insider will resume

Monday, Dec. 28, 2009.

Wednesday on the air

 

Vancouver Housing Authority: Housing Matters (12-6)--4 p.m. CVTV

Bravo! Vancouver: Messiah - An Oratorio (12-6)--4:29 p.m. CVTV

Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners (12-8)--6:59 p.m. CVTV

Columbia River Crossing: Tolling Study Committee (12-7)--8:30 p.m. CVTV

Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council (12-4)--10 p.m. CVTV

 Community Calendar Links

• Southwest Washington Center for the Arts

• Greater Vancouver Chamber

• City of Vancouver Calendar

 

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 Headlines

 

Links to news of local & national significance

Energy-efficiency 'sweep'--Columbian, Libby Tucker

Ridgefield rail project gets $1M--Columbian, Cami Joner

Rose City Printing move to Vancouver almost complete--Columbian, Cami Joner

Holiday closures listed--Columbian, Pauline Sipponen

BG police chief speaks about termination--Columbian, Marissa Harshman

'Balloon boy' parents get jail time--USA Today, Trevor Hughes

Vatican defends move to sainthood for pope--New York Times, Rachel Donadio